Hopwood Hall College Rochdale campus to stop evening classes

Rochdale campus of Hopwood Hall College

The Rochdale campus of Hopwood Hall College will be stopping evening classes from September 2015.

A spokesperson for Hopwood Hall College said: “Due to government funding cuts of over £1million per year, we have to look at areas where we can make efficiencies, whilst also ensuring they have the least negative impact to students and staff.

“We undertook a review and found that going forward it would be inefficient to open the Rochdale campus in the evenings. Instead courses will run from our Middleton campus as well as continuing to operate in Heywood and Norden.”

However, despite this, a number of students who use the town centre campus for evening classes are writing to the college to see if they will change their mind.

Cheryl Beswick, who attends evening classes at the college, said: “I found out last Thursday (2 July) when I went to one of my classes. It seems like people are only just starting to find out about things now.”

Cheryl has now written to the college, asking them to change their minds.

“I just wanted to write to them and see if by the power of persuasion, they would change their minds but as of yet, I haven’t heard anything,” added Cheryl.

In the letter it says: “Today I write with a heavy heart as you and your bosses plan to close the college (Rochdale campus) for evening classes next term. Honestly I'm shocked. I first studied here in 2002, completing a foundation in art. I have wanted access since then, over 10 years.

“Please help petition to promote courses and make positive change. You have a hidden gem of facilities. You should make money by promoting courses fully. Not save money by closing the college at night. What about the well-being of adult's throughout the borough, who want to attend further education, better themselves and develop their skills. We don't want to head out of town to Bury or Middleton and some simply don't have the means to travel.

“The art college was a bustling and thriving place to study with inspirational teaching staff who nurtured many talented artists. I know people who have excelled in their field of art who began studying here.

“It seems that business heads are making many detrimental decisions over the years. Without heart, thought or cause you are ruining community. It matters more about the façade of a building. Spending money on a re-vamp and providing the newest trend in courses, while access to the traditional and priceless facilities is denied and not promoted, meaning unique facilities are lost and unavailable.

“This is a passion of mine and I plan to fight for it. Not only for the artists who attend, but for the working people who want to study languages or hospitality because day time courses are not an option.”